WINNIPEG, MB. - On February 23, 2021, at approximately 3:45 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) responded to the Disraeli Bridge at Higgins Avenue for a male in distress.
Several calls had been made to 911 saying a man had climbed over the ledge of the bridge.
Central District Supervisor, Patrol Sergeant Saif Khan, arrived in the area and circled his vehicle below the bridge and observed an adult male who appeared to be in crisis. He was hanging on by the railing rungs with his body suspended approximately thirty-five feet from the ground.
He swiftly orchestrated a rescue effort and deployed two WPS Officers to the top of the bridge who grasped onto his jacket through the rungs to secure him until back-up arrived.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) arrived and assisted WPS at the top of the bridge, while several other units blocked traffic on the roadway below the bridge.
As this incident quickly unfolded an SRS Signs truck outfitted with a boom and bucket was observed by Patrol Sergeant Khan nearby. He requested the driver’s assistance who quickly positioned his truck underneath the man. He then manoeuvred the boom and bucket up to his feet and gently lifted him until the WPS officers, and WFPS members could pull him back over the ledge to safety.
An adult male was conveyed to the hospital for a medical assessment. Nobody was injured as a result of this incident.
The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the public for quickly reacting to this critical situation and alerting 911.This rescue effort was swiftly organized by numerous WPS officers, and the support of our WFPS partners.
We would also like to recognize the great community engagement and service on the part of local business, “SRS Signs & Services Inc”. Their cooperation with WPS was instrumental in bringing this individual to safety.